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Message: <blockquote data-quote="JollyDoc" data-source="post: 3964629" data-attributes="member: 9546">Aside from the blood-red sky and filth strewn water, where strange, scaled creatures would periodically breach, the Abyssian Ocean was not so very different from any other waters Mandi had sailed.  Convincing the crew of that, however, had been another matter entirely.  After their initial transition to the Abyss, the sailors had been ready to mutiny.  After Mandi adroitly pointed out to them that only she could activate the wakeportal, and what their fate would be if they sailed off blindly across the alien landscape, they eventually came to see reason…or at least to accept their fate with resignation.  Shortly after their arrival, Mandi had charted a course for Gaping Maw…the layer of the Abyss ruled by the Prince of Demons, Demogorgon.  It stood to reason that if Vanthus took Lavinia anywhere, it would be to his master.  Distances were meaningless on the Abyssian sea.  Mandi only knew that it would take several days to reach the Maw’s Teeth, the point where the endless ocean touched the border of Demogorgon’s domain.  She had no idea what they might encounter on their voyage, but she had taken numerous precautions, not the least of which was imbuing herself with the ability to detect approaching vessels within twenty miles of their location.So it was, near the end of their first day under sail that she sensed the presence of a large caravel directly along their path of travel.  She alerted her comrades and prepared to take the ship beneath the waves, encased in a large bubble of air at the first sign of trouble.  When the unknown vessel finally appeared on the horizon, Mandi’s divination told her that it was called the Sapphire Griffon, and that it hailed from no one home port.  The flag it flew was a mercantile banner, so she ordered the Wyvern to slow its course and allow the other ship to approach.  Soon, it was close enough for her to make out its sleek lines and transparent sails, and the fact that it left no wake as it skimmed across the water.  Several red-skinned humanoids bustled about on deck and in the rigging, while five nine-foot tall, blue-skinned giants gathered at the rail and hailed the Wyvern.  Mercanes.  Mandi had studied them…planar merchants, whose travels knew no borders.  They were neutral in their outlook, never interfering in the politics of the planes they visited, but instead simply plying their wares…and information.The Sapphire Griffon came alongside the Sea Wyvern, and ropes were cast between the two ships, tying them together, while long planks were lowered as walkways.  Mandi and the rest of the Legionnaires crossed to the merchant vessel and greeted the mercanes, who bowed low.  The ship’s main deck was set up like a marketplace, with several booths and stalls displaying a wide variety of exotic goods.  The red-skinned crew, on closer examination, also sported small, vestigial horns on their heads…tieflings.  “Greetings, fellow travelers,” one of the merchants said as he came forward.  “I am Lothar.  We are pleased and honored to have the opportunity to engage in commerce with you.”“We are not particularly interested in your merchandise,” Mandi said, drawing a curious look from the mercanes.  “It is information that we seek.”“Ah!”  Lothar replied.  “That to is our stock-in-trade…but it comes with a price.”“Understood,” Mandi nodded.  “We will ask our questions, and you name your price.”“Ask,” Lothar said.“We’re looking for a ship called the Crimson Scar,” Sepoto said, stepping forward.  “It’s captained by an undead warrior by the name of Vanthus Vanderboren.”Lothar nodded, then turned to confer with his associates.  After a few moments, he turned back, smiling. “We offer this information at the price of one-thousand gold coins.”“Agreed,” Mandi replied.“The Crimson Scar did indeed sail these waters recently.  It made for Lemoriax, but did not stay long.  It was last reported to be on course for Divided’s Ire.”“Where is Lemoriax?”  Tower Cleaver asked.“What is Divided’s Ire?”  Sepoto asked simultaneously.Lothar smiled broadly.  “The answers to those questions were not calculated in our original price.  Each will require another thousand gold coins.”“Who needs pirates when we’ve got these guys?”  Sepoto shouted, outraged, but Mandi held up a warning hand.“Agreed,” she said simply.Lothar nodded again.  “Lemoriax is the capitol city of Demogorgon’s domain.  As for Divided’s Ire, it was once a pleasure palace of Demogorgon’s in Gaping Maw, but it is now a notorious prison.”“Prison?”  Mandi asked.  “What sort of creatures are imprisoned there?”At Lothar’s knowing smile, the sorceress produced another bag of coins.  “The Prince of Demons was never too particular about who or what he sealed up in his grand prison.  Over time, it has come to hold all sorts of creatures, including mortals, celestials, and agents of rival demon lords and archdevils.”Mandi considered this, then nodded, and turned to leave.“We thank you for your help,” she said over her shoulder.“An honor,” Lothar answered, “and if you should ever have further need of our services, you may Send to me directly, and we shall come.  Just one other thing before you leave…”Mandi turned back, eyes narrowing.“It’s just this,” Lothar said, clasping his hands, “As I said, we deal in information, and it may be that we could encounter others asking about a ship such as yours, and passengers such as yourselves.  Per our code, we would be willing to part with that information…for the right price.”“I see,” Mandi said, dryly, “and what would the price of your silence be?”“One thousand gold coins,” Lothar replied.“Agreed,” said Mandi.</blockquote>

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